Manuke FPS - Chapter 56

Chapter 56

Meanwhile in Malta-san’s room; we were discussing what was behind the attack and planning countermeasures for any future attack when the door burst open suddenly and a young girl barged in .

“Father! Is it true that you had been attacked?!” .

“Minea, we have guests . ”

It seemed like the name of the young girl that barged in the room and jumped straight into Malta-san was Minea; burying her face into his big belly . Her concern for her father was enough for her to not to notice my presence . “W-What?!” While she was burying her head into

Her concern towards her father was more than enough to not even notice my presence . “W-What?!” Minea slowly turned her head toward me with tear-filled eyes, half her face still buried in her father’s belly . The ballistic mask that covered my whole face except the eyes had an intimidating feel to it and for a young girl who was simply worried sick about her father; it might have been too much to handle at first…

Well, should I take off my mask then? However, having her know my identity as Schwarz and letting her hear the name shaft would be problematic . Both Malta-san and I kept staring at each other while wondering what to do . The appearance of a new character in the room lifted some of the weight off our shoulders and made the situation easier to handle .

“Minea, you should not be troubling your father . Dear, welcome home . Would this be Shaft-san? My name is Marida, Malta’s wife . I’d like to thank you for protecting Malta and the employees .

Marida, who just entered the room, was a slender woman with long brown hair like her daughter and looked to be in her mid-twenties . She was dressed in a white blouse and blue pants which gave the feeling of work clothes .  Minea’s hair was also brown and long, however, her clothes resembled that of a chiffon dress . A combination of a light blue skirt and a sleeveless dress .

“No, that is going to be this time’s job . In fact, I deeply apologize . for not being able to protect the other wagons .

“What are you saying Shaft-san?! Something as simple as a wagon is easily replaced and the goods for the wagon were already received as well! You managed to protect the most important thing, something that has no replacement – our lives!”

“Malta, I think it’s about time you give Shaft-san some rest . ”

“You can just call me Shaft; would you mind if I called you Marida-san?”

“I’m fine with that, feel free to call me Marida . Shaft-san, it has come to my attention that you have some very good secrets on making large amounts of money . During your stay in the Royal Capital, I insist that you think of this residence as your own . ”

[EN: That’s either very shitty foreshadowing or that’s some crappy dialogue . ]

This time’s caravan schedule was a two-day stay in the Capital with our departure planned for the third day on the third day to return back to Barga . The plan at first was to find a place to stay while walking around the Capital until I had completed my registration at the guild . However, since Marida-san insisted that I stay over at their residence, I couldn’t just refuse the invitation .

With Marida-san included in the conversation, Malta-san and I discussed everyone about the escort from there; and I was going to stay at their home, I was also in charge of keeping the family safe . Since Minea was still in the room, I refrained from saying anything that could let her know about the chance of being attacked by the group of bandits again – something Marida-san seemed to have realized instantly .

Obviously, Marida’s Company had hired exclusive guards at all times, but their focus was the wagon and the storage so Malta-san himself had no personal guards . In this time’s escort, it was decided that there would be a trusted and exclusive guard for Malta-san . Until who that person was decided, the person in charge of protecting him would be me .

Throughout the conversation, Minea sat quietly between the couple while trying to get a glance at me whenever she could . When our eyes met through the black mask though, she’d look away… Perhaps she just doesn’t like me?

[EN: She want that Shaft . ]

After breakfast at Malta-san’s home and having a small nap in the guest room . Malta-san and I went to the Capital’s General Guild . The capital’s general guild was considered to be the main headquarters for every single guild, where every guild regardless of their business gathered up . The guild Malta-san and I came for is one of them, more specifically, a mercenary guild .

Malta-san came here to hire a mercenary to protect him while I had come to register myself as a member . Although being a mercenary guild, their main business was not properly dispatching people to war . Driving wagons, sailing boats, and doing their maintenance was also part of their work . Private protection for merchants and nobles, special units for any problems that involved foreign countries; and shady business .

[EN: It’s nice to know how the MC knows so much about the world but can be surprised at every turn . ]

Registering Shaft as an adventurer while I was registered as Schwarz would be a waste, but if I registered at a crafting guild, I would have nothing to do . Being a hunter was also impossible . I thought about the merchant’s guild, but being with Malta-san was still more beneficial in many ways I realized . After all that, only the Mercenary guild was left . It was also quite convenient due to this time’s request for guarding the wagon . So, I ended up registering with the mercenary guild . That was when a small issue came along .

“Practical skill exam?”

“Yes, the first thing that is required of a mercenary is fighting ability . Knowledge in other specialties such as medical and other skills are also required . A mercenary that is unable to fight is unable to provide the service to a client . For that reason, we test your skills in combat when you apply . We have an examination hall at the back of the building . We’ll have you take the test there . ”

“What would happen in the case that the examiner was to get injured?”

“The medical corps would be on standby, therefore, there is nothing to worry about . However, if there is a serious injury that ends up being connected to their death, the capital guards will be called . So be careful . ”

So, registration for the mercenary guild isn’t a piece of cake… What should I do? Avoid using any guns and just take the test with the electromagnetic baton? Wait, no, what if I were to fail?

“The exam will begin immediately, are you ready?”

“Uh…\ Uhm… Yes, I’m ready . ”

The receptionist guided me to the back of the building to a small field which seemed to be used for exercises . Waiting in the center was the person in charge of the examination .

“Is that the guy who’s applying for the exam? You checked what’s behind that mask, right?”

As they approached each other, the man seemed to check something with the receptionist .

“He’s a certificate holder of the Marida Company . ”

“Marida company? Are you serious? They’re the ones in charge of assuring the identity of this mask-wearing weirdo?”

“He came along with the company’s chairman . ”

“Oh, here I was thinking they were the kind of company who doesn’t want to get their hands dirty . Was there a change in policy?”

“There’s no way I would know anything about that, just get going with the exam, please . ”

I measured the examiner’s physical appearance as I listened to their conversation from a small distance away . If it was just an easy practical skill exam, the baton would do it, but if the presence I feel from this is similar to Marinda-san, Ruu-san, and Linel; This man is probably really strong .

“Hey, sorry to keep you waiting . I’m Siegfried, former A ran adventurer, and currently a member of the Mercenary Guild .

“I’m Shaft . ”

A Former A-ranker… Not an opponent I can beat if I make a few mistakes . Siegfried was a man in his thirties with saggy eyes and short brushed back brown hair . The guild personnel had a clean look to them, but this man had an unpleasant look with an overgrown beard, sloppy t-shirt and pants – a rough appearance .

“You don’t need to win against me . I just want to make sure you have good skills . If you get hurt, there’s a guild member over there who will cast healing magic on you, so don’t worry . Feel free to come at me when you want, no need to hold back!”

As Siegfried said that, he held a wooden stick and the exam began . I took my electromagnetic baton off my waist with my left hand, lightly swung it, and it expanded . After seeing a stick about 30cm in length expand to double its size, Siegfried’s face was that of someone who was admiring an interesting toy .

The distance between Siegfried and I was about 10m . We walked towards each other, reducing the distance; the other side seemed completely defenseless at first glance, but I was careful to check for any movement without letting any detail escape me . Ready to react to any sudden movement .

The moment the distance between us reached 5m, I advanced towards him with a slid-jump . With the momentum, I swung the baton at him . With the tip of the wooden sword pointed down, Siegfried stopped my swing with the grip of the sword . Despite him countering my attack, my swing was boosted by the power suit which surpassed any ordinary man’s strength, even stronger due to the momentum and overpowered him .

“Woah!”

Feeling pressured by me, Siegfried jumped backward and put some distance between us . I put my right hand in my overcoat and took out the Five-seveN and immediately placed the crosshair on Siegfried’s right knee and pulled the trigger twice . With resonating gunshots, the receptionist reacted by shaking her shoulders, but I kept my pistol tight and pointed the crosshair to his head .

“Was this enough to prove myself?”

“Ha… Haha, what is that? Magic attacks? I didn’t hear any chants thought…”

“Shall we stop with the unnecessary questioning?”

[EN: OOoo the sudden change in personalities . Yay . ]

Siegfried kneeled down with both hands holding his right knee tight and drenched in blood .

“Okay then, you pass . Hey! I need some treatment here; I can’t stand this pain anymore!”

“Y . .  Yes sir . ”

Upon hearing his call, a female member of the guild rushed towards him and began to chant healing magic on him . I put the pistol back in its holster and started walking towards the receptionist .

“Seems like I passed, hand over the guild card please . ”

“Right away!”

I returned to back to the reception hall of the guild along with the receptionist . Today’s objective had been completed the moment I got my guild card . Malta-san was waiting for me over at the meeting place .  So it seemed like he was also done with his request . As of that, we had no more business with the general guild and returned to Marida Company office .